News Release
“American seniors have lost a lifelong champion in the passing of former Rep. John Dingell, the longest serving member of the U.S. Congress. He presided over the passage of Medicare and Medicaid in the House chamber in 1965, guaranteeing the right to health care for low income and older Americans. During nearly sixty years of service as a Congressman, he diligently carried on the work of his father, Rep. John Dingell, Sr., who helped President Franklin Roosevelt enact and strengthen Social Security. For more than three decades, Congressman Dingell was a stalwart ally of the National Committee in our fight to preserve Social Security for our nation’s disabled, retirees, and their families.
Rep. Dingell’s keen political mind was complemented by a huge heart and sense of humor. He once said, ‘The only perfect law was handed to Moses on stone tablets by God himself.’ While we don’t disagree, we can say that the Congressman was incredibly skilled at crafting smart legislation that has stood the test of time.
We extend our condolences to his widow, Rep. Debbie Dingell, who honors her husband’s legacy every day in Congress as a defender of Americans’ retirement and health security — and to his entire family. A lion of the House of Representatives and an unwavering advocate for society’s most vulnerable, John Dingell will be dearly missed.” – Max Richtman, President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
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Media Inquiries to:
Pamela Causey 202-216-8378/202-236-2123
Walter Gottlieb 202-216-8414